Friday, June 25, 2010

My Journey 6/24-6/25/2010

God's insight to me:

Max Lucado's devotional is a good way to understand and start your day. Even though we try very hard to be happy, according to what Max states it will not happen here. So what can we do? My advice is to let God have control of your life for that is truly the best of both lives! As the movie title states, "From here to eternity!

Uprooting Toxic Bitterness is a another good way to help make our earthly lives better. So many times bitterness enters our lives and begins creating havoc. As Adrian Rogers writes "Forgive them for Christ's sake!" Because until you do that Christ can not be effective through you. I like how Adrian Rogers wrote "With the Spirit's spade, root it out."

Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional speaks of fulfilling our needs and wants. As I was reading the devotional what stood out was this statement, "Is my petition essential to accomplishing God's purpose, or is it only for my enjoyment?" If your need is not in line with God's purpose be prepared for a lot of disappointments. What do you need in your life now to be happy? My joy is truly in the Lord. As it is written in the 23rd Psalm, the Lord is my Shepherd, my friends I have no wants.

Charles R. Swindoll's devotional could also of been named, "Effort is required". So many times we miss the rewards awaiting us because we just don't want to put in the time. Sometimes what it takes to get to the reward is tedious and no fun, so we opt for something else, then envy someone that has put in the time needed. As a teenager I always remember trying to learn to play the guitar. When it come time for practice I just didn't feel any enjoyment in doing that. Now when I saw someone who could play the guitar well, I asked myself why is he or she so much better than me? The answer, they practiced, and practiced until it became real to them where they could enjoy it and share that enjoyment with others. As I was reading Mr. Swindoll's devotional this phrase stood out, "It's up to you." Here is a poem the Lord blessed me with thinking about just that:

It’s Up To You

It ‘s up to you what you do
the choice is totally yours.
You decide each step you take
as you walk throughout your years.

Right or wrong, good or bad
you decide what to do.
But as you decide always remember
God is watching you!

You can make someone happy,
or take away their smile.
The words that you choose to speak,
can make or break them for a long while.

You can decide to forgive
the wrong someone has done,
or you can harbor resentment,
right from the beginning of day one.

The choice is yours given by God,
for that’s the way He wanted it to be.
Ever since the fall of man He said,
“You can choose a sinful life or choose Me!”

E. P. Shagott
6/25/2010

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
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June 24
Eternal Happiness
By Max Lucado

“God has planted eternity in the hearts of men.” Ecclesiastes 3:10, TLB

You will never be completely happy on earth, simply because you were not made for earth. Oh, you will have your moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead.

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June 24
Uprooting Toxic Bitterness
by Adrian Rogers

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

Bitterness is an emotional cancer that consumes many a person who once had the bloom of eternal springtime in his heart. Where does it come from? Usually from being hurt. Perhaps you were abused as a child, rejected by someone, fired from a job, or even bypassed at church.

Bitterness sets in when the hurt goes unresolved. There is a solution. If you've been wronged and bitterness has become so strong that you can almost taste its bile within your mouth, then it's time to pursue it with a holy vengeance. With the Spirit's spade, root it out. Draw a circle that takes in those who have wronged you. Forgive them for Christ's sake!

Bow before the Lord this morning and ask for grace and power to uproot the bitterness that has taken hold in your heart and is robbing you of the joy you desire.

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June 25
Wants and Needs: The Difference
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalm 34:8-10

Sometimes people perceive a desire as a necessity. The heart can become so consumed with a craving that fulfilling it feels critical to well-being. Then, when God does not meet the "need," anger and frustration result.

Believers wondering why they have been neglected should honestly answer one question: "Is my petition essential to accomplishing God's purpose, or is it only for my enjoyment?" Beyond basics like food and shelter, necessities might include counseling for a troubled marriage or money for a mission trip. If we can't complete the Lord's plan without something, then it is a need, and He will answer when we pray for Him to fulfill that requirement (Phil. 4:19).

God is also pleased to satisfy desires that fit within the confines of His purpose and will (Ps. 37:4). The things we long for bring pleasure, entertainment, or a sense of joy. Many are good and worth pursuing, but they become troublesome when we deem them essential for our plans. God isn't obligated to grant wishes or fulfill any plans but His own. However, He says that those who seek Him won't lack any good thing (34:10). Pursuing the Lord above all else means making our desires subject to His will. And when we "delight in the Lord" (37:4), He'll also shape our desires to be most beneficial.

The heavenly Father wants to be His children's greatest delight—the One in whom fulfillment and satisfaction are found. When that is true in a believer's life, then he or she does not require a lot of "stuff," entertainment, or people in order to be happy. Joy is in the Lord.

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Sitting in the Light
by Charles R. Swindoll

1 John 1:5-7

"You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is required. The stars neither require it nor demand it" (Annie Dillard).

A lot of things in life are like that, aren't they?

A piano sits in a room, gathering dust. It is full of the music of the masters, but in order for such strains to flow from it, fingers must strike the keys . . . trained fingers, representing endless hours of disciplined dedication. You do not have to practice. The piano neither requires it nor demands it. If, however, you want to draw beautiful music from the piano, that discipline is required.

A child plays at your feet, growing and learning. That little one has incredible potential, a hidden reservoir of capability and creativity, but in order for those possibilities to be developed, parents must take time . . . listen, train, encourage, reprove, challenge, support, and model. Moms and dads do not have to do any of that. The child neither requires nor demands that we do so. If, however, we hope to raise secure and healthy offspring, those things are required.

Time spreads itself before us, directionless and vacant. That time can be filled with meaningful activities and personal accomplishments, but in order for that to occur, you must think through a plan and carry it out. You do not have to plan or follow through. Time neither requires it nor demands it. If, however, you hope to look back over those days, weeks, months, and years and smile at what was achieved, planning is required.

What is true of the stars, a piano, a child, and the days ahead is especially true of your mind. It awaits absorption. It will soak up whatever you feed it: imaginary worries, fears, filthy and seductive thoughts, hours of television, and selfish greed . . . or good books, stimulating discussions, exciting risks of faith, the memorization of Scripture, and learning a few new skills. You can even take a course or two that will stretch your mental muscles.

You do not have to pay the price to grow and expand intellectually. The mind neither requires it nor demands it. If, however, you want to experience the joy of discovery and the pleasure of plowing new and fertile soil, effort is required.

Light won't automatically shine upon you, nor will truth silently seep into your head by means of rocking-chair osmosis.

It's up to you. It's your move.

If the splendor of the stars is worth sitting outside in the dark, believe me, the joy of fresh discovery is worth sitting inside
in the light.

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